Mark Robins Talks About Tomorrow

Last updated : 17 April 2007 By Thetashkentterror
Mark Robins
Recently appointed Millers manager Mark Robins spoke to the official Rotherham website and the Sheffield Star about the match against the Blues in less than 24 hours time, ex-Manchester United striker Robins talking about the improved quality he has seen in his forward line recently :


"They have proved to themselves what they can do when you look at the Gillingham game and then the performance at Forest on Monday. It is about setting standards. They have done that and it shows they can do it. I won't expect anything less. They are starting to get that mentality.

"We had two excellent performances over the Easter weekend, the lads went out and showed what they can do and I really think we were unlucky not to come away with all six points, the team played without any fear and went out on to the pitch to win, there's one or two in the team that are now flourishing.

"We have a difficult game tomorrow and Carlisle will be coming here looking for a win because they still have a chance of the play-offs. But we need a win as well. We are striving to take this to the wire and, although it is out of our hands, we can still win matches and you never know. We will have to look and see what they've got, and go out like we did against Gillingham last Saturday at home with a positive frame of mind and a desire to go and challenge and compete for everything.

"Four win in a row shows you the form they are in and what we are up against tomorrow. But I sense here growing confidence in a lot of the players and when players are more confident you get improved performances. Carlisle pass the ball well though and this is a difficult game.

"Our strikers are being encouraged to get in the box, between the sticks and that has been happening in the past couple of games and you've seen what's happened. Chris O'Grady and Delroy Facey have been among the goals lately and I'm convinced that Ian Henderson is going to get off the mark. Who knows, it could just be tomorrow.

"Chris O'Grady's goal at Forest will do him the world of good, its early days for him yet, Chris wants to improve all the time and as long as he maintains that we will have a good player for the club. Delroy Facey has been outstanding; he performed admirably in both games and led the line really well and the lads that are running off him are getting rewards as well.

"Marc Newsham did well against Gillingham, he got his first goal for the first team and was really pleased, its early days, but Marc has got obvious abilities and talent, he has a very bright football brain which I like in players, it's not very often you see that in young players but Marc always thinks about the game and his position and hopefully this is the start of more goals for him."




In Millers team news influential central defender Ian Sharps will face a late fitness test on a hamstring injury suffered in a 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest on Easter Monday, Pablo Mills replaced him as a substitute in that game and looks likely to do so again tomorrow if Sharps fails to recover in time. Definitely missing for Rotherham though will be defender Gregor Robertson (calf) and Ukrainian-born midfielder Eugen Bopp (ankle).

Better news for the home side though is that they are suspension-free tomorrow and midfielder Martin Woods looks likely to be available once more after receiving treatment for an ankle problem. Boss Mark Robins should also be able to call on Richie Partridge who has been sidelined with a knee injury, as well as midfield duo Justin Cochrane and Michael Keane who have been out with knee and hamstring problems respectively.


In a late change the referee for tomorrow's match will be the well-known Mike Pike from Barrow instead of Ray Olivier from Sutton Coldfield in the West Midlands, and Pike will be assisted down the lines by two men called Evans, the first assistant referee being Craig from Lincoln and the second being Karl from Leigh in Greater Manchester. Meanwhile the fourth official will be Stephen Cooke from Mansfield in Nottinghamshire.